Tragic death of young Belleek teacher in Spain

The death in Spain of a young teacher from Belleek has devastated his family and plunged the village’s close-knit community into mourning.

Twenty-seven year old Raymond McParland was found dead in his apartment in Barcelona on Wednesday last by his flatmate, who had just returned from a short break.  He died the previous Sunday, but his body had lain undiscovered for three days.  In a statement his family said results of a post mortem found that he had died from natural causes. 

Mr McParland had spent the last four months living and working as an English teacher in the Spanish city, having worked in England beforehand. Raymond is the youngest son of Gerard and Marie and brother of Michael, Gregory and Christopher. 

He received his early education at St Laurence O’Toole Primary School in the village and St Paul’s High School, Bessbrook before going to Queens University Belfast, to study English.  

Raymond completed his teacher training in London and earlier this year decided to move to Barcelona to teach English. His parents had travelled there to visit him only three weeks ago.

Raymond was described by many as a very creative and cultured person and, from time to time, composed plays and other literary works.

Parish Priest, Fr. Michael Rogers, who has kept close to the McParland family ever since the tragedy became known, says they are distraught at his death and, at such a tragic time, they need the prayers and support of the whole community.

Local Sinn Fein councillor, Jimmy McCreesh, said the sympathy of the entire community is with the McParland family.

“As I understand, the family had been over visiting him recently,” the Councillor said.  “He was only 27 and the youngest of the family and, when these things happen away from home, there is an added difficulty.”  

MLA Dominic Bradley said Raymond’s untimely death was as a profound tragedy and  his sympathy went out to his grieving parents and brothers.  He described him as a very gifted and cultured young man whose departure had also deprived the wider community of a person of substantial gifts and generosity of heart.

It is understood that there will be a considerably delay in getting his remains home because of Spanish law and regulations and that further arrangements will not be possible for several days because of this.